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Small eyed sleeper (Prionobutis microps) — Eleotridae

Small eyed sleeper

Prionobutis microps
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Small eyed sleeper (Prionobutis microps) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The sleeper is a sleeper goby (Eleotridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a stocky body with a large head and small eyes. It inhabits brackish mangrove estuaries, tidal creeks and the lower reaches of freshwater streams. By day it keeps hidden among roots and leaf litter. As a slow ambush hunter it takes small fishes, shrimps and other invertebrates that come within reach. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Small eyed sleeper?

The Small eyed sleeper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Small eyed sleeper live?

The Small eyed sleeper lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Small eyed sleeper get?

The Small eyed sleeper grows to a maximum of about 23 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Small eyed sleeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Small eyed sleeper is harmless to humans.

Is the Small eyed sleeper edible?

The Small eyed sleeper is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinoog-slaapgrondel sourced
English name
Small eyed sleeper verified
Scientific name
Prionobutis microps
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Smalleye gudgeon; Small-eyed gudgeon; Small-eyed loter; Small-eyed sleeper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Eleotridae

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